Signature Trees
“You will live in joy and peace.
The mountains and hills will burst into song,
and the trees of the field will clap their hands”.
Isaiah 55:12
Through the centuries, Benedictines have cherished the land, both for its provision of food and for the aesthetic value for contemplation, leisure and union with the Creator. The Benedictine Sisters, and now Catholic Community Services, believe the land is a gift of our loving God, a gift to be held in sacred trust.
You are invited to walk the paths around the Monastery grounds to enjoy this island of peace and beauty.
A count and identification of the trees was undertaken from September 2025 – May 2026 by the Benedictine Sisters and their oblates. As of May 2026, there are 1615 trees on the property, including almost 200 fruit trees, 300 berry and grape plants and over 85 different species of trees. Incense cedars are the most well represented with 161 planted around the grounds. There are 471 trees in the grove that separate the monastery from Orchard House.
We present some of the trees of the monastery, notably the Signature Trees. As you walk the paths of the monastery, please enjoy the beauty of the trees you see and take particular note of the Signature Trees that are highlighted on this page.
You can download a printable version of this page here.
Points of Interest
A. St. Scholastica Garden
B. Outdoor Labyrinth
C. Orchard
D. Cemetery
E. Stations of the Cross
#1 | 1893 Giant Sequoia - Planted by Sister Protasia Schindler after she found the seedling by the railroad tracks. This tree, designated on the Oregon Heritage Tree List in 2003, signifies the Benedictine Sisters’ stability, strength and vitality.
#2 | 1982 Giant Sequoia - Planted in the lawn, west of the Monastery Chapel, in celebration of the Sisters’ first century in Oregon. This seedling is from the 1893 Giant Sequoia.
#3 | Dawn Redwood - The original tree planted in back of the former Mt. Angel College in 1952 from a seed from China. This tree is unique in that the needles fall off in the Autumn and new needles are produced in the Spring. A seedling was planted east of Agatha Hall in 2018 by Sister Judith Henigin.
#4 | Oregon White Oak - In the grove there are 64 Oregon White Oaks, a historically important native species of the Willamette Valley of Western Oregon.
#5 | American Linden - The four American Lindens forming “an outdoor cathedral” in front of the North Entrance of the Monastery were planted in 1903. In past summers, the Benedictine Sisters on special occasions would celebrate Mass there.
#6 | Red Japanese Maple - The nearby contorted, but graceful Red Japanese Maple, beautiful in all seasons, was also planted around 1903.
#7 | Kentucky Coffee Tree - Behind the monastery, near the carports, across the road from the Japanese Maple, stands a Kentucky Coffee tree. Unfortunately, not enough berries form to make coffee, but nevertheless, a stunningly shaped tree to behold.
#8 | Copper Beech - Across the driveway in Saint Joseph Garden is a large Copper Beech, with its beautiful structure and leaves visible from the Chapter Room in the south wing of the monastery.
#9 | 2024 Giant Sequoia - As you walk south towards the cemetery, on the east side is a Giant Sequoia planted in 2024, in recognition of the Larry and Jeanette Epping Family Foundation. Take a minute to rest on the bench there and give thanks for all who support our ministries.
#10 | Western Red and Incense Cedars - Lining the drive near this area are Western Red Cedars on the east and Incense Cedars on the west. When the sun shines and the breeze blows, a fabulous scent fills the air.
#11 | American Sycamore - Gracing the cemetery grounds are two American Sycamore trees. These large trees provide shade in the summer and shelter in the winter for the many visitors who come to pay their respects.
Other notable large trees near the buildings on the front side of the monastery grounds include the tall Ginkgo near the southwest corner of Chesterton Academy, and the Tuliptree and Weeping Cherry just north of the monastery chapel.
Credits:
+ Tree Count led by Gay Gomez and Nancy Hendricks and assisted by the Benedictine Sisters and Queen of Angels oblates.
+ Photography by Sister Dorothy Jean Beyer, OSB.
+ Design by Michael Trevino, Nancy Hendricks, and Sister Dorothy Jean Beyer